Not that long ago I genuinely believed we had the best people running the club — owners who respected City’s local identity and the relationship with its fans. We saw supporter friendly initiatives like subsidised travel for FA Cup Finals and Champions League Finals. That probably lasted until Covid.
The moment that cracked for me was the ESL. Getting into bed with clubs that had spent years trying to finish us, even letting Joel Glazer issue a statement on our own website. When we pulled out first, I told myself we were different. Looking back, that was naive. I sometimes wonder if clubs decided there and then that if they couldn’t have the ultimate cash cow, then they would screw traditional fans in other ways.
Since then the pursuit of matchday revenue has been relentless. The Real Madrid semi-final was the breaking point — fans priced out, tourists filling seats, Blues walking away, some never returning.
We saw it in the treble season against Arsenal too -no ticket returns available, yet plenty packaged up in expensive hospitality.
Now the new stand is being built and the priority is obvious — more revenue.
The irony is that the authentic atmosphere they’re eroding is exactly what attracts football tourists in the first place.
I read yesterday thatRoel de Vries is leaving. Maybe it’s unrelated. But you’d hope it signals a rethink and hopefully a change in direction / priorities.